U.S. patent application number 16/043072 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-23 for systems and methods of filtering particulate matter from a fluid.
The applicant listed for this patent is Charles Swanson, Shane Swanson. Invention is credited to Charles Swanson, Shane Swanson.
Application Number | 20200024174 16/043072 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69161507 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-23 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200024174 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Swanson; Shane ; et
al. |
January 23, 2020 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF FILTERING PARTICULATE MATTER FROM A
FLUID
Abstract
Systems and methods of filtering particulate matter from a fluid
are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a system for filtering
particulate matter having suspended particles, organic
contaminants, and microorganisms from a fluid comprises a main
filter assembly having an activated carbon block disposed therein.
The carbon block has distributed pores with a diameter of less than
one micron. Further, the carbon block is operable to filter all of
the particulate matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width
of at least 0.45 microns from the fluid, and adsorb the particulate
matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width of at least 0.003
microns from the fluid.
Inventors: |
Swanson; Shane; (Leander,
TX) ; Swanson; Charles; (Escondido, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Swanson; Shane
Swanson; Charles |
Leander
Escondido |
TX
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69161507 |
Appl. No.: |
16/043072 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 29/11 20130101;
C02F 1/001 20130101; B01D 29/56 20130101; C02F 1/50 20130101; C02F
1/283 20130101; C02F 2209/40 20130101; C02F 9/005 20130101; C02F
2209/03 20130101; C02F 2303/04 20130101; C02F 1/002 20130101; C02F
1/505 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C02F 9/00 20060101
C02F009/00; B01D 29/11 20060101 B01D029/11; B01D 29/56 20060101
B01D029/56 |
Claims
1. A system for filtering particulate matter having suspended
particles, organic contaminants, and microorganisms from a fluid,
comprising: a main filter assembly having an activated carbon block
disposed therein, the carbon block having distributed pores with a
diameter of less than 1 micron and being operable to: filter all of
the particulate matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width
of at least 0.45 microns from the fluid; and adsorb the particulate
matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width of at least 0.003
microns from the fluid.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first pre-filter
assembly having a first filter media disposed therein that is
operable to filter the particulate matter having a diameter or a
non-spherical width in a range of 5 to 20 microns from the
fluid.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first pre-filter assembly is
arranged to filter the fluid prior to the main filter assembly.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second pre-filter
assembly having activated carbon disposed therein, the activated
carbon having distributed pores with a diameter of 5 microns or
less and being operable to filter the particulate matter having a
diameter or a non-spherical width in a range of 1 to 5 microns from
the fluid.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second pre-filter assembly is
arranged to filter the fluid after the first pre-filter assembly
but prior to the main filter assembly.
6. The system claim 1, further comprising: a third pre-filter
assembly having an antimicrobial agent disposed therein that is
operable to kill or slow a growth of the microorganisms in the
fluid.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the third pre-filter assembly is
operable to filter the particulate matter having a diameter or a
non-spherical width in a range of 1 to 5 microns.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the third pre-filter assembly is
arranged to filter the fluid after the first and second pre-filter
assemblies but prior to the main filter assembly, and the first
pre-filter assembly is arranged to filter the fluid prior to the
second pre-filter assembly.
9. The system of claim 6, wherein the arrangement of the first,
second and third pre-filter assemblies and the main filter assembly
is operable to allow the main filter assembly to filter a greater
volume of fluid prior to reaching its end-of-life than any other
arrangement of the first, second and third pre-filter assemblies
and the main filter assembly.
10. The system of claim 6, wherein the arrangement of the first,
second and third pre-filter assemblies and the main filter assembly
is operable to allow the main filter assembly to filter at least
20% greater volume of the fluid prior to reaching its end-of-life
than any other arrangement of the first, second and third
pre-filter assemblies and the main filter assembly.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a filter screen
disposed in an intake port and operable to filter the particulate
matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width of at least 0.297
millimeters from the fluid.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the activated carbon block is a
compressed, food-grade, activated coconut carbon block.
13. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a flow regulator
operable to regulate an amount of flow of fluid through the system,
wherein the flow regulator is arranged between the pump and the
first pre-filter assembly, the flow regulator being further
operable to shut-off a flow of the fluid through the flow regulator
responsive to a pressure of the flow of the fluid through the flow
regulator being at least a first threshold.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the flow regulator is further
operable to enable a first indication responsive to the pressure of
the flow of the fluid through the flow regulator is at least the
first threshold.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a pressure gauge
arranged at an inlet port to the main filter and operable to:
monitor a flow of fluid to the main filter; and enable a second
indication responsive to the pressure of the flow of the fluid to
the main filter being at least a second threshold.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein a combination of the first and
second indications indicate the following status of the filters in
the system: TABLE-US-00002 First Second Indication Indication
Status of Filters Disabled Disabled All Filters Operating Disabled
Enabled Main Filter Reached End-of-Life Enabled Disabled Replace
Filter Media of First Pre-Filter Enabled Enabled Check Status of
All Filter Media
17. A method of filtering particulate matter having suspended
particles, organic contaminants, and microorganisms from a fluid,
comprising: filtering, by an activated carbon block filter media of
a main filter assembly, all particulate matter having a diameter or
a non-spherical width of at least 0.45 microns from the fluid from
the liquid, wherein the carbon block filter media has distributed
pores with a diameter of less than 1 micron; and adsorbing, by the
carbon block filter media, the particulate matter having a diameter
or a non-spherical width of at least 0.003 microns from the
fluid.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: filtering, by a
pleated filter media of a first pre-filter assembly, the
particulate matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width in a
range of 5 to 20 microns from the fluid.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: filtering, by an
activated carbon filter media of a second pre-filter assembly, the
particulate matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width in a
range of 1 to 5 microns from the fluid, wherein the activated
carbon filter media has distributed pores with a diameter of 5
microns or less.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: filtering, by an
antimicrobial agent filter media of a third pre-filter assembly,
the particulate matter to kill or slow the growth of the
microorganisms in the fluid.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/535,467, filed Jul. 21, 2017,
which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
herein.
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of
filtration, and in particular to filtering particulate matter from
a fluid.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Small Unit Water Purifiers (SUWP) are portable water
purification systems usually used in the field or more austere
conditions. An SUWP has the means to intake water whether it be
from a hand pump or an electrically powered pump. Once the fluid
(e.g., contaminated water) is pumped into the system, the fluid is
forced through a filter or series of filters to remove particulate
matter such as suspended particles, organic contaminants (e.g.,
carbon-based compounds), microorganisms (e.g., parasites, viruses,
bacteria, spores, fungi, algae, and the like). After the fluid is
filtered, it is dispensed to fulfill the requirements for a variety
of purposes such as human consumption, and medical,
pharmacological, chemical, or industrial applications. An SUWP is
generally a self-contained system.
[0004] The need for clean water has always and will always be
present but the effort to purify water is not a new one. There are
many methods available to purify water such as slow sand
filtration, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet (UV) light contact and
carbon block filtration. Each of the previous methods have their
own set of issues especially when placed into an austere
environment where dependability and limited resources are major
factors.
[0005] Slow sand filtration is a method where the user will have a
container that they put a corrugated tube at the bottom then cover
with rocks, gravel, dirt, and sand. The water is then run through
the system where it filters down to the tubing and is let out of
the container. Time is needed for bacteria to grow on top of the
sand which will feed on contaminants in the water this is not ideal
because the growth of bacteria is not always guaranteed as this is
considered an improvised method of filtration.
[0006] Reverse Osmosis is a process in which contaminated water is
forced at high pressure through a semipermeable membrane which
allows water to pass through while rejecting the contaminants. The
contaminants are then discarded through a reject stream and the
clean water is dispensed for the user to drink. There are several
issues with reverse osmosis in a field environment. First of which
is the amount of power needed. The pressure needed to cause reverse
osmosis varies depending on the concentration of contaminants in
the water. Higher pressure requires a pump strong enough to do so
and a large amount of power to operate. The second issue with
reverse osmosis is the creation of wastewater. This wastewater
needs to be disposed of which is not always a good option for those
already living in an austere environment, and if the wastewater is
put back into the original water source it serves to super
concentrate the water source, which increases the power generation
needs to filter the water.
[0007] Filtration through UV light is a process in which water is
exposed to UV light for a period of time which allows the UV light
to destroy the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of organisms in the
water. By destroying the DNA of organisms in the water, they are
unable to reproduce and therefore, unable to infect other
organisms. This is an effective method of water filtration but
dependability is an issue. UV light bulbs are the primary method of
filtration in this system and are not well suited to harsh
conditions because if the bulb breaks, then the system is unable to
purify water.
[0008] Carbon block filtration uses a solid block of carbon as the
main method of water filtration. Water passes through the carbon
block and is purified. Regular carbon block matrix filters are
manufactured through the continuous extrusion method. This method
produces carbon block material with ratings of one to twenty
microns. These types of carbon blocks are wrapped with a layer of
absolute membrane material in order to claim to be 1.0 to 0.5 or
even 0.2-micron absolute. The viral barrier is assured by a thin
membrane material which is put under full force of the water entry.
These membranes are usually pleated to lower the surface stress and
can only have the outer surface area to lower the applied stress
which leads to increased chances for viral passage.
[0009] Others have tried to solve the problem of delivering
purified drinking water in austere environments in the past but
each solution has its own set of problems. One SUWP system performs
desalination through reverse osmosis which has a large demand for
power generation, which is not always available in lesser developed
areas of the world, and also produces wastewater. Another SUWP
system has a robust and programmable electronic control system that
has been known to have electronic failures in austere environments
for reasons such as dirt, heat, and shock from impact, which are
all common in the environment SUWP's are intended for use. When
this SUWP system has an electronic failure, the purifier is
rendered unusable and must be sent back to the manufacturer for
repair which is not a viable solution if this is your only water
source. Another SUWP system includes carbon block filtration but
uses an impeller pump, which can fail without constant contact with
water to prevent overheating. This SUWP system also hard mounts
their filter housings together and does not seem to have a built-in
sediment kit which allows large contaminants to come in contact
with the filters and runs the risk of prematurely damaging the
filters.
[0010] Accordingly, there is a need for improved techniques for
filtering particulate matter from a fluid. In addition, other
desirable features and characteristics of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and
the foregoing technical field and background. The Background
section of this document is provided to place embodiments of the
present disclosure in technological and operational context, to
assist those of skill in the art in understanding their scope and
utility. Unless explicitly identified as such, no statement herein
is admitted to be prior art merely by its inclusion in the
Background section.
SUMMARY
[0011] The following presents a simplified summary of the
disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to those of
skill in the art. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
disclosure and is not intended to identify key/critical elements of
embodiments of the disclosure or to delineate the scope of the
disclosure. The sole purpose of this summary is to present some
concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the
more detailed description that is presented later.
[0012] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of
filtering particulate matter from a fluid. According to one aspect,
a system for filtering particulate matter having suspended
particles, organic contaminants, and microorganisms from a fluid
comprises a main filter assembly having an activated carbon block
disposed therein. The carbon block has distributed pores with a
diameter of less than one micron and is operable to filter all of
the particulate matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width
of at least 0.45 microns from the fluid and adsorb the particulate
matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width of at least 0.003
microns from the fluid.
[0013] According to another aspect, the system includes a first
pre-filter assembly having a first filter media disposed therein
that is operable to filter the particulate matter having a diameter
or a non-spherical width in a range of five to twenty microns from
the fluid.
[0014] According to another aspect, the first pre-filter assembly
is arranged to filter the fluid prior to the main filter
assembly.
[0015] According to another aspect, the system includes a second
pre-filter assembly having activated carbon disposed therein. The
activated carbon has distributed pores with a diameter of no more
than five microns and is operable to filter the particulate matter
having a diameter or a non-spherical width in a range of one to
five microns from the fluid.
[0016] According to another aspect, the second pre-filter assembly
is arranged to filter the fluid after the first pre-filter assembly
but prior to the main filter assembly.
[0017] According to another aspect, the system includes a third
pre-filter assembly having an antimicrobial agent disposed therein
that is operable to kill or slow a growth of the microorganisms in
the fluid.
[0018] According to another aspect, the antimicrobial agent
includes silver nitrate.
[0019] According to another aspect, the third pre-filter assembly
is operable to filter the particulate matter having a diameter or a
non-spherical width in a range of one to five microns.
[0020] According to another aspect, the third pre-filter assembly
is arranged to filter the fluid after the first and second
pre-filter assemblies but prior to the main filter assembly, and
the first pre-filter assembly is arranged to filter the fluid prior
to the second pre-filter assembly.
[0021] According to another aspect, the arrangement of the first,
second and third pre-filter assemblies and the main filter assembly
is operable to allow the main filter assembly to filter a greater
volume of fluid prior to reaching its end-of-life than any other
arrangement of the first, second and third pre-filter assemblies
and the main filter assembly.
[0022] According to another aspect, the arrangement of the first,
second and third pre-filter assemblies and the main filter assembly
is operable to allow the main filter assembly to filter at least
20% greater volume of the fluid prior to reaching its end-of-life
than any other arrangement of the first, second and third
pre-filter assemblies and the main filter assembly.
[0023] According to another aspect, the system includes a filter
screen disposed in an intake port and operable to filter the
particulate matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width of at
least 0.297 millimeters from the fluid.
[0024] According to another aspect, the filter screen filters the
fluid prior to the first, second, and third pre-filter assemblies
and the main filter assembly.
[0025] According to another aspect, the system includes an intake
port operable to receive the fluid to be filtered by the system.
Further, the screen is disposed in the intake port.
[0026] According to another aspect, the activated carbon block is a
compressed, food-grade, activated coconut carbon block.
[0027] According to another aspect, the system includes a flow rate
sensor operable to indicate a rate of flow of the fluid through the
system.
[0028] According to another aspect, the system includes a pump
operable to pump the fluid from an intake port of the system to the
first pre-filter assembly.
[0029] According to another aspect, the pump is a diaphragm pump
that is operable to operate without any flow of fluid through the
system and without damaging the pump.
[0030] According to another aspect, the system includes a flow
regulator operable to regulate an amount of flow of fluid through
the system.
[0031] According to another aspect, the flow regulator is arranged
between the pump and the first pre-filter assembly.
[0032] According to another aspect, the flow regulator is further
operable to shut-off a flow of the fluid through the flow regulator
responsive to a pressure of the flow of the fluid through the flow
regulator being at least a first threshold.
[0033] According to another aspect, the first threshold is
sixty-two pounds per square inch (psi).
[0034] According to another aspect, the flow regulator is further
operable to enable a first indication (e.g., light emitting diode
(LED)) responsive to the pressure of the flow of the fluid through
the flow regulator being at least the first threshold.
[0035] According to another aspect, the system includes a pressure
gauge arranged at an inlet port to the main filter and operable to
monitor a flow of fluid to the main filter, and enable a second
indication (e.g., LED) responsive to the pressure of the flow of
the fluid to the main filter being at least a second threshold.
[0036] According to another aspect, the second threshold is
sixty-two psi.
[0037] According to another aspect, a combination of the first and
second indications indicate the following status of the filters in
the system:
TABLE-US-00001 First Second Indication Indication Status of Filters
Disabled Disabled All Filters Operating Disabled Enabled Main
Filter Reached End-of-Life Enabled Disabled Replace Filter Media of
First Pre-Filter Enabled Enabled Check Status of All Filter
Media
[0038] According to another aspect, the system includes an intake
port operable to receive the fluid to be filtered by the
system.
[0039] According to another aspect, the system includes an output
port operable to output fluid that is filtered by the system.
[0040] According to one aspect, a method of filtering particulate
matter having suspended particles, organic contaminants, and
microorganisms from a fluid comprises filtering, by a main filter
assembly having an activated carbon block disposed therein, all
particulate matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width of at
least 0.45 microns from the fluid from the liquid. The carbon block
has distributed pores with a diameter of less than one micron.
Further, the method includes adsorbing particulate matter having a
diameter or a non-spherical width of at least 0.003 microns from
the fluid.
[0041] According to another aspect, the method includes filtering,
by a first pre-filter assembly having a pleated filter media
disposed therein, the particulate matter having a diameter or a
non-spherical width in a range of five to twenty microns from the
fluid.
[0042] According to another aspect, the first pre-filter assembly
filters the fluid prior to the main filter assembly.
[0043] According to another aspect, the method includes filtering,
by a second pre-filter assembly having activated carbon disposed
therein, the particulate matter having a diameter or a
non-spherical width in a range of one to five microns from the
fluid. The activated carbon has distributed pores with a diameter
of five microns or less.
[0044] According to another aspect, the second pre-filter assembly
filters the fluid after the first pre-filter assembly but prior to
the main filter assembly.
[0045] According to another aspect, the method includes killing,
destroying, or slowing the growth of the microorganisms in the
fluid using a third pre-filter assembly having an antimicrobial
agent disposed therein.
[0046] According to another aspect, the third pre-filter assembly
filters the fluid after the first and second pre-filter assemblies
but prior to the main filter assembly.
[0047] According to another aspect, the third pre-filter assembly
is arranged to filter the fluid after the first and second
pre-filter assemblies but prior to the main filter assembly, and
the first pre-filter assembly is arranged to filter the fluid prior
to the second pre-filter assembly.
[0048] According to another aspect, the arrangement of the first,
second and third pre-filter assemblies and the main filter assembly
is operable to allow the main filter assembly to filter a greater
volume of the fluid prior to reaching its end-of-life than any
other arrangement of the first, second and third pre-filter
assemblies and the main filter assembly.
[0049] According to another aspect, the arrangement of the first,
second and third pre-filter assemblies and the main filter assembly
is operable to allow the main filter assembly to filter at least
20% greater volume of the fluid prior to reaching its end-of-life
than any other arrangement of the first, second and third
pre-filter assemblies and the main filter assembly.
[0050] According to another aspect, the method includes filtering,
by a filter screen, the particulate matter having a diameter or a
non-spherical width of at least 0.297 millimeters from the
fluid.
[0051] According to another aspect, the filter screen filters the
fluid prior to the first, second, and third pre-filter assemblies
and the main filter assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] The present disclosure will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
embodiments of the disclosure are shown. However, this disclosure
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers
refer to like elements throughout.
[0053] FIGS. 1A-G illustrate different views of one embodiment of a
system for filtering particulate matter having suspended particles,
organic contaminants, and/or microorganisms from a fluid in
accordance with various aspects as described herein. FIG. 1A
illustrates the system with the filter housings. FIG. 1B
illustrates a portion of the system of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C illustrates
the filter section of the system of FIG. 1A without the filter
media in the housings.
[0054] FIG. 1D illustrates the filter section of the system of FIG.
1A with each filter housing having a corresponding filter media.
FIG. 1E illustrates a portion of the system of FIG. 1A that
includes a controller assembly and a pump assembly. FIG. 1F
illustrates the controller assembly of the system of FIG. 1A. FIG.
1G illustrates the pump assembly of the system of FIG. 1A.
[0055] FIGS. 2A-B illustrate different views of a quick disconnect
fitting to attach a dispensing hose.
[0056] FIGS. 3A-B illustrate fittings of the system of FIGS. 1A-G.
FIG. 3C illustrates assembled fittings and hoses.
[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates the system of FIGS. 1A-G with filter
media disposed in the filter housings in accordance with various
aspects as described herein.
[0058] FIGS. 5A-B illustrates different views of the system of
FIGS. 1A-G.
[0059] FIGS. 6A-C illustrates different views of one embodiment of
a filter housing in accordance with various embodiments as
described herein.
[0060] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a head of a filter
housing in accordance with various embodiments as described
herein.
[0061] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a method of filtering
particulate matter having suspended particles, organic
contaminants, and microorganisms from a fluid in accordance with
various aspects as described herein.
[0062] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a system for
filtering particulate matter having suspended particles, organic
contaminants, and/or microorganisms from a fluid in accordance with
various aspects as described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0063] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present
disclosure is described by referring mainly to an exemplary
embodiment thereof. In the following description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the present disclosure. However, it will be readily apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be
practiced without limitation to these specific details. In this
description, well known methods and structures have not been
described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present
disclosure.
[0064] This disclosure includes describing systems and methods of
filtering particulate matter such as suspended particles, organic
contaminants, and/or microorganisms from a fluid. The particulate
matter may be spherical or non-spherical. For non-spherical
particulate matter having a length and a width, the length is
greater than the width. The systems and methods described herein
provide purified drinking water to people in austere environments
in the most reliable way possible by eliminating or reducing
problems with current systems. The problems with these current
systems were discovered through their use in Africa, where the
these current systems regularly fail for a variety of reasons such
as electrical failures, broken ultraviolet (UV) bulbs, water pump
failure such as caused by a lack of fluid through the system,
cracked seals, impeller failure such as caused by a lack of fluid
through the system, and the like.
[0065] FIGS. 1A-G illustrate different views of one embodiment of a
system 100 for filtering particulate matter having suspended
particles, organic contaminants, and/or microorganisms from a fluid
in accordance with various aspects as described herein. In FIGS.
1A-B, the system 100 generally functions like other small unit
water purification (SUWP) systems by allowing the intake of water
that is then forced through a series of filters to produce clean
drinking water. Water may be obtained from any source (e.g.,
rivers, ponds, rain storage, contaminated city water, and the
like). A suction hose 25 may allow the intake of a fluid having
particulate matter (e.g., suspended particles, organic
contaminants, microorganisms, or the like) to the system 100. In
one example, the suction hose 25 has a length in a range from one
foot to one hundred feet. In another example, the hose is
twenty-five feet in length. The first end of the suction hose 25
may be coupled to a suction strainer 26 that is used to reduce
sediment entering the suction hose 25. In one example, the suction
strainer 26 is a five and one-half inch (51/2'') brass suction
strainer. The suction strainer 26 may be covered with a filter sock
33 (e.g., clock sock) to further reduce sediment entering the
system. The filter sock 33 may be washed or rinsed and then reused
as often as needed.
[0066] In FIG. 10, the other end of the suction hose 25 may be
coupled to an inlet port of a pump assembly 3 via a fitting 24
(e.g., 90.degree. national pipe thread (NPT) fitting) having a pump
3a and a regulator 3b. A secondary suction screen filter with
fitting 34 (e.g., bowl type screen filter with quick disconnect
fittings, as shown in FIGS. 2A-B) may be coupled between the intake
port of the pump assembly 3 and the other end of the suction hose
25. In one example, the pump 3a is a diaphragm pump such as a five
stage thermoplastic elastomer santoprene) diaphragm with corrosion
resistant valves that is self-priming and can run dry without
damage to the pump 3a, unlike the more commonly used impeller pump.
The regulator 3b may have a built-in safety mechanism to stop the
flow of the liquid when the pressure is at least a certain pressure
threshold (e.g., 60 pounds per square inch (psi)) to avoid damaging
internal components of the pump 3a. The pump 3a may then resume
pumping the fluid when the pressure drops below the certain
threshold. The pumped liquid is output to an outlet port of the
pump 3a. The outlet port of the pump 3a is coupled to one end of a
pump output hose 36 via a fitting 23. In one example, the fitting
23 is a female straight hose barb fitting. The other end of the
pump output hose 25 is coupled to an outlet port fitting 21. In one
example, the outlet port fitting 21 is a quick disconnect fitting.
In another example, the outlet port fitting 21 is a half inch
(1/2'') NPT swivel fitting, which allows the collar of the fitting
to turn rather than the hose which negates kinking or tangling of
the hose. An optional spigot adapter 27 is operable to connect the
system 100 to spigot such as to use a water source via the spigot
in rural areas where there is access to running water. When using
the spigot adapter 27, the pump 3a and the regulator 3b are
bypassed while continuing to safely filter the fluid (e.g., water)
by the system 100. By bypassing the pump 3a and the regulator 3b,
the fluid enters a first pre-filter assembly 6 having a first
pre-filter housing 6a and a first pre-filter media 6b.
[0067] In FIGS. 1C-D, one end of an intake hose 4 is coupled to the
outlet port fitting 21. The outlet port fitting 21 is operable to
allow the optional spigot connection 27 or the pump output hose 36
to be quickly connected or disconnected without any unfiltered
fluid entering the system 100. The other end of the intake hose 4
is coupled to the first pre-filter assembly 6 via a fitting 5
(e.g., hose barb 90.degree. fitting). In one example, the first
pre-filter media 6b is a pleated sediment filter for added
debris-holding capacity and is rated at twenty microns. After the
fluid is filtered by the first pre-filter media 6b disposed in the
first pre-filter housing 6a, the filtered fluid is transferred
through a hose 8 (e.g., 1/2'' OD flexible hose, which may be 41''
long) to a flow meter 11. The hose 8 is coupled to the flow meter
11 via a fitting 9 (e.g., straight brass pinch lock fitting) and a
fitting 10 (e.g., slip fitting). The outlet port of the first
pre-filter housing 6a is coupled to the hose 8 via a fitting 7
(e.g., 90.degree. pinch lock fitting). Each fitting 7 may also be
paired with an adaptor 16 that connects to a port of a filter
housing. In one example, the adaptor 16 is a 3/4'' by 1/2'' brass
adaptor. The flow meter 11 may display both the total cumulative
flow from when one or more of the filter media was changed, a
current flow rate of fluid through the system 100, or the like.
[0068] After the fluid passes the flow meter 11, the fluid is
transferred by a hose 12 (e.g., 1/2'' OD transfer tube, which may
be 10'' long) to a second pre-filter assembly 13. One end of the
hose 12 is coupled to the flow meter 11 via the fittings 9, 10. The
other end of the hose 12 is coupled to the second pre-filter
assembly 13 via the fitting 7. The second pre-filter assembly 13
includes a second pre-filter media 13b disposed in a second
pre-filter housing 13a. The second pre-filter media 13b is operable
to filter the fluid. In one example, the second pre-filter media
13b is a carbon block micro-filter rated at five microns or
less.
[0069] After the fluid is filtered by the second pre-filter media
13b, the fluid is transferred by a hose 14 (e.g., 1/2'' OD transfer
tube, which may be 10'' long) to a third pre-filter assembly 15.
One end of the hose 14 is coupled to the second pre-filter housing
13a via the fitting 7. The other end of the hose 14 is coupled to
the third pre-filter housing 15a via the fitting 7. The third
pre-filter assembly 15 includes a third pre-filter media 15b
disposed in a third pre-filter housing 15a. The third pre-filter
media 15b is operable to filter the fluid. In one example, the
third pre-filter media 15b is a nano-silver activated carbon
filter. In another example, the third pre-filter 15b is a
nano-silver activated carbon filter made of coconut carbon. In yet
another example, the third pre-filter 15b is a nano-silver
activated carbon filter made of natural coconut carbon that is
operable to filter out nano-meter particles in the spectrum
particle sizes between molecular and DNA. In yet another example,
the third pre-filter 15b is a nano-silver activated carbon filter
made of natural coconut carbon that is operable to filter out
chloroform, VOCs, harmful chemicals, bad smells, and portions of
metals and pesticides. In yet another example, the third pre-filter
15b is a nano-silver activated carbon filter made of natural
coconut carbon that is operable to damage the mechanism of a
bacteria's metabolism, resulting in filtering over six hundred and
fifty species of bacteria. In yet another example, the third
pre-filter 15b is a nano-silver activated carbon filter made of
natural coconut carbon that is operable to have a flow rate of no
more than 0.75 gallons per minute. In yet another example, the
third pre-filter 15b is a nano-silver activated carbon filter made
of natural coconut carbon that is operable to filter at least two
thousand gallons of fluid before end-of-life. In yet another
example, the third pre-filter 15b is a nano-silver activated carbon
filter made of natural coconut carbon that is operable at no more
than one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100.degree. F.).
[0070] After the fluid has been filtered by the third pre-filter
media 15b, the fluid is transferred by a hose 17 (e.g., 1/2'' OD
transfer tube that is 10'' long) to a fourth filter assembly 18.
One end of the hose 17 is coupled to the third pre-filter housing
15a via the fitting 7. The other end of the hose 17 is coupled to
the fourth filter housing 18a via the fitting 7. The fourth filter
assembly 18 includes a fourth filter media 18b disposed in a fourth
filter housing 18a. The fourth filter media 18b is operable to
filter the fluid. In one example, the fourth filter media 18b is a
carbon block filter rated at least 0.45 microns. In another
example, the fourth filter media 18b is a carbon block filter that
is operable to filter the fluid until the fourth filter media 18b
is saturated with contaminants at which point, the fourth filter
media 18b prohibits the flow of the fluid. A pressure gauge 19 is
coupled between the third pre-filter assembly 15 and the fourth
filter assembly 18 and is operable to display a pressure of the
fluid entering the fourth filter assembly 18. A drop in pressure as
displayed on the pressure gauge 19 may indicate an obstruction of
the flow of the fluid from one of the pre-filter assemblies 13a,
15a, and 18a.
[0071] After the fluid has been filtered by the fourth filter media
18b, the fluid is transferred from the fourth filter housing 18a to
a dispensing hose (e.g., 1/2 inch OD hose that is 4'' long). One
end of the dispensing hose 20 may be coupled to the fourth filter
housing 18a via the fitting 7. The other end of the dispensing hose
20 may be coupled to a quick disconnect fitting 21, which may be
used to attach a dispensing hose 32 (e.g., male end dispensing
hose. In one example, the dispensing hose 20 is a female end
dispensing hose. In one example, each filter housing 6a, 13a, 15a,
and 18a may be clear plastic filter cases, which may be connected
by a flexible hose to reduce damage due to rough handling, shock
from accidents, or the like and may be operable for quick and easy
changing of the corresponding filter media without disassembling
the filter assembly.
[0072] Furthermore, the system 100 may be powered by one or more
power supplies 2. In one example, a first power supply converts a
higher alternating current (AC) voltage into a lower direct current
(DC) voltage, allowing the system 100 to operate from an AC voltage
in the range of 115V AC to 230V AC. In another example, a second
power supply converts a higher DC voltage to a lower DC voltage.
For instance, the second power supply converts 24V DC to 12V DC. In
addition, the system 100 may be mounted to mounting brackets 1, 22.
The system 100 may include an AC power chord 30 to provide AC power
from a remote AC power supply to the system 100 or to charge the
first power supply from the remote AC power supply. Also, the
system 100 may include a DC power chord 29 (e.g., jumper cables) to
provide DC power from a remote DC power supply or to charge the
second power supply from the remote DC power supply. The system 100
may also include a power adaptor 31 that is operable to perform the
functions of the first or second power supply. The mounting bracket
1 may be used to mount the power supply 2 and the pump assembly 3.
The mounting bracket 22 may be used to mount the filter assemblies
6, 13, 15, 18. In one example, each mounting bracket 1, 22 is
ninety thousandths of one inch (90 mils) thick aluminum. The system
100 mounted to the brackets 1, 22 may be disposed in a watertight
case 35 that may include an automatic equalization valve. The
system 100 may also include a wrench 28 (e.g., strap wrench) for
providing grip and mechanical advantage in applying a torque to
turn one of the filter housings 6a, 13a, 15a, 18a to install or
uninstall that housing 6a, 13a, 15a, 18a to a head, as shown in
FIG. 13.
[0073] The right portion of FIGS. 3A-B illustrate the quick
disconnect fitting 34 having a female quick disconnect fitting 34a
and a male quick disconnect fitting 34b. The left, center portion
of FIG. 3C illustrates the fitting 34 coupled to a corresponding
hose. The left portion of FIGS. 3A-B illustrate the fittings 7, 9.
The right, outer portion of FIG. 3C illustrates the fittings 7, 9
coupled to a corresponding hose.
[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates the system of FIGS. 1A-G with various
filter media disposed in the filter housings in accordance with
various aspects as described herein.
[0075] FIGS. 5A-B illustrates different views of the system of
FIGS. 1A-G.
[0076] FIGS. 6A-C illustrates different views of one embodiment of
a filter housing 600 having a head 601 and a body 603 in accordance
with various embodiments as described herein.
[0077] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the head 601 of FIGS.
6A-C.
[0078] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a method 800 of
filtering particulate matter having suspended particles, organic
contaminants, and microorganisms from a fluid in accordance with
various aspects as described herein. In FIG. 8, the method 800 may
start, for instance, at block 801 where it may include filtering,
by a first pre-filter assembly having a pleated filter media
disposed therein. Further, the particulate matter may have a
diameter or a non-spherical width in a range of five to twenty
microns from the fluid. At block 803, the method 800 may include
filtering, by a second pre-filter assembly having activated carbon
filter media disposed therein, the particulate matter having a
diameter or a non-spherical width in a range of one to five microns
from the fluid. Also, the activated carbon filter media has
distributed pores with a diameter of five microns or less. At block
805, the method 800 may include filtering, by a third pre-filter
assembly having an antimicrobial agent filter media, the
particulate matter to kill or slow the growth of the microorganisms
in the fluid. At block 807, the method 800 includes filtering, by
an activated carbon block filter media of a fourth filter assembly,
the particulate matter having a diameter or a non-spherical width
of at least 0.45 microns from the fluid from the liquid. The carbon
block filter media has distributed pores with a diameter of less
than one micron. In addition, the method 800 includes adsorbing, by
the activated carbon block filter media, particulate matter having
a diameter or a non-spherical width of at least 0.003 microns from
the fluid.
[0079] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a system 900 for
filtering particulate matter having suspended particles, organic
contaminants, and/or microorganisms from a fluid in accordance with
various aspects as described herein. In FIG. 9, the pump 3 and the
first pre-filter assembly 6 is mounted to the mounting bracket 1.
Further, the second and third pre-filter assemblies 13, 15 are
mounted to the mounting bracket 22. In addition, a plurality of the
fourth filter assemblies 18-1, 18-2 are mounted to the mounting
bracket 22. The filter configuration of the system 900 includes the
outlet of the pump 3 being coupled to the first pre-filter assembly
6, which is coupled to the second pre-filter assembly 13, which is
coupled to the third pre-filter assembly 15. The outlet port of the
third pre-filter assembly 15 is coupled to a distributing connector
37 (e.g., y-connector) that is operable to distribute the flow of
fluid from the outlet port of the third pre-filter assembly 15 into
a plurality of parallel flows with each parallel flow directed
towards the inlet port of one of the plurality of fourth filter
assemblies 18-1, 18-2. Further, the outlet port of each fourth
filter assembly 18-1, 18-2 is coupled to a combining connector 39
(e.g., y-connector) that is operable to combine the flow of fluid
from the outlet port of each fourth filter assembly 18-1, 18-2 to
obtain a combined fluid flow, which may be output to the dispensing
hose 20. As previously mentioned, the fourth filter media 18b is a
carbon block filter that is operable to filter the fluid until the
fourth filter media 18b is saturated with contaminants at which
point, the fourth filter media 18b prohibits the flow of the fluid.
By using a plurality of fourth filter assemblies 18-1, 18-2, the
volume of fluid filtered by the system 900 before the fourth filter
media 18b of each fourth filter assembly 18-1, 18-2 becomes
saturated with contaminants (and hence, prohibiting the flow of
fluid) is linearly proportional to the number of fourth filter
assemblies 18-1, 18-2 operating in parallel. For instance, a system
having two fourth filter assemblies operating in parallel will
filter twice the volume of fluid than a system having a single
fourth filter assembly.
[0080] The previous detailed description is merely illustrative in
nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, or the
application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there
is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory
presented in the preceding field of use, background, summary, or
detailed description. The present disclosure provides various
examples, embodiments and the like, which may be described herein
in terms of functional or logical block elements. The various
aspects described herein are presented as methods, devices (or
apparatus), systems, or articles of manufacture that may include a
number of components, elements, members, modules, nodes,
peripherals, or the like. Further, these methods, devices, systems,
or articles of manufacture may include or not include additional
components, elements, members, modules, nodes, peripherals, or the
like.
[0081] Throughout the specification and the embodiments, the
following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated
herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Relational
terms such as "first" and "second," and the like may be used solely
to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action
without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The term
"or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" unless specified
otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to an exclusive
form. Further, the terms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean
one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to
be directed to a singular form. The term "include" and its various
forms are intended to mean including but not limited to. References
to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment,"
"various embodiments," and other like terms indicate that the
embodiments of the disclosed technology so described may include a
particular function, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not
every embodiment necessarily includes the particular function,
feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the
phrase "in one embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same
embodiment, although it may. The terms "substantially,"
"essentially," "approximately," "about" or any other version
thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the
term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%,
in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within
0.5%. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way
is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in
ways that are not listed.
* * * * *